Electric supply for barber chairs



Dec. 3, 1963 J. ECK 3,112,971

ELECTRIC SUPPLY FOR BARBER CHAIRS Filed Aug. 3, 1961 INVENTOR: by M1United States Patent Office ?atented Dec. 3, 12%

3,112,971 ELECTRIC SUPPLY FUR BARBER CHAERS John Eek, 3518 W. 167th St,Chicago, lll. Filed Aug. 3, WM, Ser. No. 12.9,ll2 5 Claims. (Cl. 339-5)This invention relates to vertically reciprocable revolving chairs asused in beauty salons, barber shops, etc. More particularly, it isdirected to provision on a barber shop chair of a convenient source ofelectrical energy available to the operator who uses power tools such ashair clippers and the like.

In using electrically powered tools in connection with tonsorial andhair dressing activities, the electrical cords are normally attached toan electrical outlet spaced from the chair. in order to reach certainareas on the patrons head, the operator as he moves from one portion tothe other progressively moves the powered implement. Consequently, theelectrical cord is draped about the patrons neck and shoulders and isfrequently contacted by the operator. Obviously with time and use, thecord becomes frayed, or the insulation ages, and even though care isexercised, the cord is inherently dangerous and can result in a shortwith unfortunate results. Also, the operator in the course of his workis hampered by the cord, both by the presence of the same adjacent hishands and the neck and shoulders of the patron, and by the extension ofthe same between the chair and a back counter.

The object of my invention is to provide in conjunction with a revolvingchair used 'by the beautician and tonsorial professions a convenientsource of electrical energy within easy reach of the operator andmitigating the disadvantages above noted.

Another object of my invention is to provide an economical and easilyinstalled attachment for barber and beauty shop chairs affording aconvenience outlet on and movable with the chair for supply ofelectrical energy to various hair dressing implements, whereby theimplements may be disposed conveniently at hand for instant use withoutdanger of dangling wires and electrocution.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedelectrical supply for barber chairs comprising a readily installedelectrical attachment including a pair of conductor rings to be securedto the chair base in encircling relation thereto, a power supply cordfor the rings, a pair of contacts slidably engaged with respective onesof said rings, means operatively connecting said contacts to the chairfor rotation therewith, said connecting means including a lost-motionconnection in the vertical direction accommodating verticalreciprocation of the chair, and a power cord leading from said contactsto a convenience outlet on the back of the chair, whereby the outlet andcords coupled thereto are movable with the chair and do not pose anobstacle to the barber or the patron.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be come apparent inthe following detailed description.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofmaking and using my electrical supply means for barber chairs, 1 shalldescribe, in connection with the accompanying drawing, a preferredembodiment of the supply means and the preferred manner of making andusing the same.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a barber chair and my attachmentin position thereon;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse section taken on line 33 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, takenalong line 44 of FIGURE 3.

The revolvable barber chair 16, illustrated as an example and not to beconstrued as a limitation of the principle underlying my invention, hasa base =12 from which extends integrally a cylindrical member or housing14 in which is concealed a cylinder 16. A vertically reciprocablehydraulically actuated shaft 18 is journalled within said cylinder 16,and can be revolved therein to the desired position. A suitable seat 29,including arm rests 22, a back rest 24 and foot supports 26, is securedto the upper end of the shaft 18, whereby the seat or chair proper maybe raised, lowered and rotated relative to the base 12. An ornamentaland protective skirt or guard is sometimes provided to conceal the baseand cylinder of the lower part of the chair, but for sake of clarity itis not shown for it forms no part of this invention.

Across the rear-ward portion 28 of the back rest 24-, there is attachedan implement carrier plate 28 whose ends 30 are secured to the framing32 by any suitable means such as screws, or the like. The carrier plate23 is preferably of a material and a finish in keeping with the decorand decorative motif of the chair 1%. The ends 39 are shown in phantomsince they are concealed by the finished covering or frame that extendsaround the margins of the body of the chair 10.

The implement carrier plate 28 has positioned thereon at preselectedplaces one or more holders or hooks 34, upon which can be hung theimplements, such as clippers 36, and the like, in a ready andconveniently accessible position ready for use by the operator. Theelectrical power needed to operate the clippers as (or any other device)is supplied, via the implements cord 38, from a convenience outlet 40mounted on the plate 28. The outlet 40 is connected through electricalconductor or cord 42 to a source of electrical power comprised ofcurrent feed elements 44 mounted about the housing "14 of the uprightportion of the chair base 12.

F or sake of clarity the electrical conductor 42, is shown mounted onthe rear exterior of the back rest 24, but obviously it can be concealedwithin the interior of the back rest 24 and other parts of the chair perse since it is stationary with the chair.

The current feed elements 44- rare mounted on the base 12 by one or moreannular clamps 5t} comprising two semi-circular portions 52 and 54 whichare fastened together at their ends 56 and 58 respectively. These aredemountably secured about the housing lid and are use verticallyadjustable on the housing by virtue of the nut and bolt fasteners fill.Preferably, the inner faces of the portions 52 and 54 are covered with aresilient friction material, such as rubber.

Upright supports 62 are secured at desired positions, preferably in eachquadrant of the said clamp arrangetnent 50, to the said clamp either bywelding or conventional nut and bolt assemblies 64. At preselected upperportions thereof, the uprights 62 mount in coaxial spaced apartrelation, a pair of specially constructed current feed elements 44. Itshould be noted that the upright supports 62 are of a non-conductivematerial, such as plastic, hard rubber or the like, to electricallyinsulate the chair and also prevent short circuit between the spacedapart current feed elements 4-4.

Each current feed element 44 is secured fixedly to the insulated uprightsupports 62 by means of nuts and bolts '66, though obviously other meanssuch as rivets, adhesives, etc. could 'be used without departing fromthe principles involved in my invention. Likewise, each current feedelement 44 could be mounted directly on the housing 14 provided suitableinsulating washers were employed.

Each element 44 is preferably comprised of two semicircular segments tofacilitate mounting of the same on the chair base Without undulymultiplying the number of parts. Each segment may be a cast member ofcopper or electrically conductive aluminum alloy, or may be formed froman assembly of several structural elements shaped into the desiredsemicircular form. The prefer-red embodiment comprises ta unitarycasting including two inverted L-shaped portions 3 and 7t} facing eachother and secured together at their lower edges by spaced braces 71. Thebraces 71 retain the portions 68 and 70 in spaced apart relationship toform therebetween a cavity 72 and a circular track 74. The vertical legof the inner L-shaped portion 68 is preferably extended downwardly atthe location of each upright 62 to facilitate mounting of the casting onthe uprights by the bolts and nuts 66. Preferably, each ring 44 iscomprised of two identical segments as described to minimize the numberof different components required to make the assembly. Also, as shownherein, it is preferred that the rings be spaced from one another andthe chair base and derive their insulated mounting from the uprights 62.

For cooperation with each ring 44, I provide a take-off or movablecontact 76 comprising a contact bar or collector plate 84, suitablyformed of aluminum and adapted to slide on the upper surface of therespective ring. The bar is retained in cooperative relation with thering by a retainer strap 78 positioned within the cavity 72 and securedto the bar by a pair of bolts 80 which extend through the circular track74. Preferably the bolts 80 have threaded connection with both theretainer strap 73 and collector plate 84 to hold the same in spacedrelation. Mounted over the said collector plate 84 is an insulatingguide 90 that extends beyond the periphery of the said current feedelement 44 and the said collector plate 84. A portion of the midsectionof the outer edge of the said guide is notched to provide a recess 92adapted to substantially embrace a vertically disposed guide rod 94 thatis secured to and extends downwardly from the bottom of the seat 20. Asshown in FIGURE 2, the two assemblies 76 are aligned vertically, and therod 94 is slidably received in the notch in the insulating guide 90 ofeach movable contact.

As the chair is swiveled around the base, the rod 94 depending from thebottom of the seat is also moved and it moves the slide assemblies 76-circularly on the current feed elements 34. As the chair is raised andlowered, the guide rod 94 defines a lost-motion connection in thevertical direction between the chair and the contact means whereby thechair may be reciprocated vertically without loss of the operativerotary connection between the chair and the contacts.

The respective wires 42a and 42b of the conductor 42 are fastenedrespectively to the collector plates 84 of the two contact assemblies76, thereby to conduct electrical current to the outlet 40 on theimplement carrier plate 28.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the electrical energy is supplied to the currentfeed elements 44 by means of power lines 1%. A suitable ground 102conductively engaging the pedestal i214 of the chair (as by means of afastener extending through the clamp 59 and the friction material toengage the pedestal) is provided as a measure of safety.

A protective guard 104 is provided to prevent accidental contact withthe live current feed elements. This guard 164 is mounted on a support196 that is fastened to the bottom of the seat 29.

In use, the supply cord 1% may be passed through the floor, under thefloor mats in the barber shop, or be encased in protective conduitswhere it is entirely out of the way and does not pose an obstacle to thebarber. Electrical energy is thus supplied to the rings 44 and drawnfrom the rings via the contacts 76 and the short cord 42 to the outlet4t), still without presenting an obstacle to the barber or his customer.With this outlet conveniently at hand, the barber may employ anyelectrical implement he desires, and since he usually works from theback and sides of the chair, he will not drape the cord of the implementabout the neck and shoulders of the patron and he will not find the samein his way as he maneuvers about the chair. Moreover, since he cansimply hook the implement on the chair, the barber Will be saved manysteps during the course of a day and he will not have to repeatedlystore his clippers on a back counter and retrieve them therefrom.

The preferred embodiment of the apparatus as shown herein is readilyattached by virtue of its split ring design to a wide variety of barberchairs. The unit itself is economically yet sturdily made for a longservice life, and is economically installed to alford the barber themany advantages hereinbefore discussed.

While I have shown and described What I regard to be the preferredembodiment of my invention, it will be appreciated that various changes,rearrangements and modifications maybe made therein without departingfrom the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a chair vertically reciprocable and revolvable ona base, a pair of vertically spaced coaxial conductor rings mountedabout said base in insulated relation to one another and said base, apair of slidable contact assemblies engaged respectively with said ringsand each including a contact conductively engaging the respective ringand insulating guides including portions spaced radially from saidrings, a rod depending from the chair and engaged with both of saidguides for causing the contact assemblies to rotate conjointly with thechair, said rod being slidably engaged with said guides in the verticaldirection and being of a length greater than the path of verticalreciprocation of the chair, electrical supply conductors connected tosaid rings, electrical conductors connected to said contacts, and anelectrical outlet mounted on said chair and connected to the latterconductors.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, mounting means for saidrings comprising a split ring clamping band secured about the base ofthe chair, a plurality of insulated upright supports mounted on saidband, said rings each comprising two semi-circular segments of adiameter larger than the base of the chair secured on said uprights inabutting relation to one another and in encircling relation to the base.

3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, a support bracket dependingfrom the chair radially outwardly of said rings and a protective shieldsecured to said bracket about said rings.

4. An attachment for a vertically reciproeable revolving chair having astationary base, comprising a pair of coaxial vertically spacedconductor rings and means for mounting the same about the base, saidmeans comprising a split ring clamping member adapted to encircle thebase and to be secured thereto and insulated support members carried bysaid clamping member, each conductor ring comprising a pair ofsemi-circular segments mounted on said support members and adapted toencircle the base in spaced relation thereto, a slidable contactingassembly engaged with each conductor ring, a guide plate extendingradially outwardly from each slidable assembly and having a notch in itsedge, a rod depending vertically from the bottom of the chair andengaging loosely in the notches in said guide plates, an electricaloutlet to be mounted on the chair, means to transmit electrical energyfrom said slidable contacting assemblies to said outlet and means tosupply electrical energy to said rings.

5. An attachment for a vertically reciprocable revolving chair having astationary base, comprising a pair of coaxial vertically spacedconductor rings, means for mounting said rings concentrically about thebase in insulated relation to one another and the base, each of saidrings having a slot in an exposed wall thereof about its entireperiphery, a slidable contact assembly engaged with each ring, eachcontact assembly comprising elements interiorly and eXteriorl-y of therespective ring interconnected with one another through the slot in thering whereby said contact assemblies are interengaged with said ringsfor annular sliding movement only relative thereto, an insulating guideplate extending radially from each contact assembly and having a notchin its edge, an elongated rod depending vertically from the bottom ofthe chair and engaging in the notches in both of said guide plates, saidrod being vertically movable with the chair relative to said contactassemblies, said rings and the base but coupling said contact assembliesto the chair for conjoint rotation therewith relative to said rings andthe base, an electrical outlet to be mounted on the chair, means totransmit electrical energy from said slidable contact assemblies to saidoutlet, means to supply electrical energy to said rings, and aninsulated protective shield depending from the chair about said ringsand said contact assemblies.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,534,271 Koken Apr. 21, 1925 2,586,595 Ashby Feb. 19, 1952

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A CHAIR VERTICALLY RECIPROCABLE AND REVOLVABLE ONA BASE, A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED COAXIAL CONDUCTOR RINGS MOUNTEDABOUT SAID BASE IN INSULATED RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER AND SAID BASE, APAIR OF SLIDABLE CONTACT ASSEMBLIES ENGAGED RESPECTIVELY WITH SAID RINGSAND EACH INCLUDING A CONTACT CONDUCTIVELY ENGAGING THE RESPECTIVE RINGAND INSULATING GUIDES INCLUDING PORTIONS SPACED RADIALLY FROM SAIDRINGS, A ROD DEPENDING FROM THE CHAIR AND ENGAGED WITH BOTH OF SAIDGUIDES FOR CAUSING THE CONTACT ASSEMBLIES TO ROTATE CONJOINTLY WITH THECHAIR, SAID ROD BEING SLIDABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID GUIDES IN THE VERTICALDIRECTION AND BEING OF A LENGTH GREATER THAN THE PATH OF VERTICALRECIPROCATION OF THE CHAIR, ELECTRICAL SUPPLY CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TOSAID RINGS, ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS CONNECTED TO SAID CONTACTS, AND ANELECTRICAL OUTLET MOUNTED ON SAID CHAIR AND CONNECTED TO THE LATTERCONDUCTORS.